The outcome was exactly as expected.
The Beasts Pirates, who had yet to rise to the status of a Four Emperors crew, stood no chance against the overwhelming might of the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates. Their resistance crumbled like dry leaves in a storm, and what followed was a massacre. The battlefield, once filled with the fierce roars of Kaido's underlings, was soon littered with the remnants of a decimated force, unable to withstand the combined assault of the two most formidable pirate crews of the era.
As for Kurozumi Orochi? The cowardly shogun was reduced to a pathetic spectacle, no more than a grotesque jester flailing in the face of inevitability. His life ended in disgrace, publicly executed.
The crisis in Wanokuni was swiftly and decisively crushed by the overwhelming might of the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates, the two most formidable forces of their era. The Beasts Pirates, led by a yet-to-be-empowered Kaido, were utterly outclassed and dismantled, leaving no room for resistance. Even the Future-Tyrant Kurozumi Orochi, whose tyranny would have brought so much suffering to Wanokuni, was reduced to nothing more than a pitiful figure—a mere clown before the eyes of his conquerors, meeting a humiliating public execution in the Flower Capital.
With the immediate threat eradicated, the focus shifted to Kozuki Oden. To the astonishment of Ace and Yamato, Oden, instead of expressing gratitude or relief, delivered a bizarre and foolhardy speech. He downplayed the assistance he had received, insisting he could have handled the situation on his own. To those unaware of Wanokuni's future, Oden's words might have seemed like the brave declarations of a proud leader. But to Ace and Yamato, who were painfully aware of the tragic fate that awaited Wanokuni, his words were nothing short of idiotic.
In that moment, it became glaringly clear to Yamato that Kozuki Oden was not the heroic figure that she believed him to be. His foolish pride, his misguided sense of honor, and his inability to make the right decisions when it mattered most had directly led to the suffering of his people. Oden wasn't just a fool—he was an incompetent ruler whose reckless actions had set the stage for Wanokuni's darkest days. Yamato could only watch in silence, her respect for Oden Dwindled as she witnessed the true depths of his failure.
She still likes Oden but she now believes that Ace might be a Better Ruler for Wanokuni.
Despite their deep disappointment with Kozuki Oden and the revelation of his incompetence, Ace and Yamato couldn't ignore the allure of the grand banquet being hosted by Roger, Whitebeard, and Oden in the Flower Capital. The festive atmosphere, the laughter, and the joy of the people celebrating their Renewed freedom were infectious, and the chance to be part of such a legendary gathering was too tempting to resist.
Yamato watched the Festival, her earlier doubts still gnawing at her, but she couldn't deny the pull of curiosity. She had never experienced anything like the freedom and joy that now filled the Flower Capital. The years of imprisonment on Onigashima had kept her isolated, her only companions the cold walls of her cell and the harsh teachings of her father. The idea of joining such a lively gathering, even if only for a brief moment, was irresistibly tempting.
"Ready to join the party?" Ace asked, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. The flames of his Mera Mera no Mi flickered faintly around him as he prepared to teleport them to the Flower Capital. The power of the Space Fruit, combined with his mastery of the Enlightenment Field, made such a feat as simple as taking a step forward.
Yamato hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, let's go. I could use a drink," she replied, trying to mask her conflicted feelings with a smirk. But Ace could see through her facade—he knew she needed this, not just to unwind, but to process everything that had happened.
With a nod of understanding, Ace extended his hand, enveloping them both in the warm glow of his powers. In an instant, they vanished from the cliffside where they had been watching the events unfold and reappeared in the heart of the Flower Capital. The bustling sounds of the banquet greeted them immediately—cheers, laughter, and the clinking of mugs filled the air as pirates and samurai alike reveled in the victory.
The sight was breathtaking. The streets were alive with celebration, the people of Wanokuni mingling with the pirates who had saved them, their differences forgotten in the wake of their shared joy. Roger and Whitebeard stood out among the crowd, their larger-than-life presences commanding attention as they laughed and drank with their crews. Oden, despite his earlier blunders, seemed at ease among his friends, his worries temporarily set aside as he joined in the festivities.
As the lively banquet in the Flower Capital reached its peak, Ace and Yamato made their entrance, walking directly into the heart of the celebration. The bustling crowd barely noticed the sudden appearance of the two, their arrival masked by the cheerful chaos of the festivities. Ace, with his characteristic smile, casually strolled through the crowd, catching the eye of both Roger and Whitebeard.
They soon found themselves at a long table where Roger, Whitebeard, and Oden were seated. The three men were engaged in animated conversation, mugs of sake in hand, their boisterous laughter echoing through the night. Roger was the first to notice Ace and Yamato's arrival. His eyes lit up, and he waved them over with a grin.
Roger, with his ever-present grin, was the first to approach. "So, you're the mysterious man behind all this," he said, his tone both curious and impressed. "Portgas D. Ace, right?"
Ace nodded, meeting Roger's gaze with a calm intensity. "That's right. It's an honor to meet the Pirate King himself," he replied, his voice steady but carrying a hint of the power that lay beneath.
Oden, oblivious to the true nature of his guests, greeted them with open arms, his earlier blunders forgotten in the haze of the celebration. "Welcome! There's plenty of food and drinks—help yourselves!"
Whitebeard, towering and formidable even in a relaxed state, also turned to acknowledge them. "Gurararara! Looks like the party just got even better!" he boomed, his laughter resonating through the square.
Ace chuckled, unphased by the imposing presence of the two legends. "I figured it wouldn't be a proper celebration without joining the party. Besides, I was curious to see what kind of men you both really are."
Ace and Yamato took their seats, blending into the lively atmosphere. Yamato, who had been so hesitant before, found herself slowly relaxing, the infectious joy of the people around her seeping into her spirit. She watched as Ace casually conversed with Roger and Whitebeard, his demeanor calm yet confident, as if he had always belonged among these legends.
As the night wore on, the conversation flowed freely. Roger, ever the charismatic leader, regaled everyone with tales of his adventures, each story more outrageous than the last. Whitebeard added his own Legendary Tales, his deep laughter booming across the table. Even Oden, in his own way, contributed to the merriment, though his words now seemed hollow to Yamato and Ace, who knew the truth behind the facade.
But as the laughter and music filled the night, Yamato couldn't shake the thoughts that lingered at the back of her mind. The reality of what Oden's foolishness had cost Wanokuni weighed heavily on her, even amidst the revelry. She glanced at Ace, wondering if he felt the same, but his expression was unreadable, a faint smile playing on his lips as he observed the scene around him.
As the banquet continued, Ace finally leaned in toward Yamato, his voice low but steady. "Remember what we've seen tonight. This is what Oden wanted to protect, but it's also what he almost destroyed. Don't forget that."
Yamato nodded, her resolve hardening. The celebration, the joy of the people, and the unity they displayed—it was all worth fighting for. But she also knew that without people like Ace, who understood the true stakes, everything would have been lost. The night's events had solidified her resolve to be more than just a bystander, to take an active role in shaping the future of Wanokuni, so that it would never again fall victim to the mistakes of its past.
The atmosphere in the Flower Capital crackled with excitement as the banquet roared on. Laughter, music, and the clinking of sake cups filled the air, but there was an undercurrent of anticipation that everyone could feel. Ace, with his usual confident grin, stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Roger and Whitebeard, two of the most legendary figures of the sea.
Roger's eyes sparkled with a mixture of challenge and excitement. "Is that so? Then how about we settle that curiosity with a little sparring session? What do you say, Whitebeard?"
Whitebeard grinned, his eyes narrowing with a fierce glint. "I couldn't agree more, Roger. It's been a while since I've had a good fight, and this brat here seems like he's up to the task."
The three of them moved to a clearing, where the crowds quickly gathered around, eager to witness this clash of titans. Yamato, sensing the thrill of battle, couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement herself. Her eyes shifted to Kozuki Oden.
Ace stood tall, flames flickering at his fingertips as he sized up his opponents. "I've always wanted to see how I'd fare against legends like you two. Let's make this a spar to remember."
Roger's grin widened as he unsheathed his sword, the weapon humming with the power of Conqueror's Haki. "You've got guts, kid. Let's see if you can back it up."
Whitebeard, ever the imposing figure, slammed his bisento into the ground, sending a tremor through the earth. "Don't hold back, Ace. Show us what you're made of!"
Without another word, the three launched into action. Ace's flames roared to life, enveloping him in a fiery aura as he dashed towards Roger. The Pirate King met him head-on, their Conqueror's Haki clashing in a brilliant explosion of power. The sheer force of their wills caused the air around them to crackle, the ground beneath them shattering from the impact as the Clouds Split open.
Whitebeard wasn't far behind, his Shock Fruit power amplifying his every move. With a mighty swing, he sent a shockwave towards Ace, who countered with a massive wall of flames. The two forces collided, creating a fiery explosion that lit up the sky. Ace didn't falter; he used the momentum to propel himself towards Whitebeard, unleashing a barrage of fire-infused punches that the older pirate deflected with his bisento.
Meanwhile, Yamato, unable to resist the call of battle, turned to Oden with a determined look. "Oden! Let's see if you're really the warrior everyone says you are."
Oden grinned and drew his dual swords. "You're on, Your name is Yamato right!"
The two clashed in a flurry of blades and Conqueror's Haki, their powers creating shockwaves that echoed across the battlefield. Yamato's mastery of her Dog-Dog Fruit: Mythical Beast Form gave her an edge in speed and agility, while Oden's raw strength and skill with his swords made him a formidable opponent. Their battle was fierce and intense, each pushing the other to their limits.
Back with Ace, the fight had reached a fever pitch. Roger and Whitebeard, impressed by Ace's prowess, began to ramp up their attacks. Roger's sword slashes sent waves of Haki-infused energy through the air, while Whitebeard's shockwaves became more potent, each one threatening to break the earth apart. But Ace was relentless, his flames growing hotter and more intense with each passing second. He combined his fire abilities with the power of Conqueror's Haki Coating, creating devastating attacks that crackled with electricity and split the very Heavens.
The crowd watched in awe as the three legends clashed, their powers shaking the very foundations of Wanokuni. Ace, despite being outnumbered, held his own, his flames burning brighter and more fiercely as he matched Roger and Whitebeard blow for blow.
Ace roared with ferocity, his voice reverberating through the battlefield as he smashed his fists together. His left fist embodied the might of Elbaf's strongest spear, its force unmatched and unyielding. His right fist, blazing with the infernal power of the Mera-Mera Fruit, was infused with Conqueror's Haki and the indomitable strength inherited from his grandfather, Garp. In that climactic moment, two fearsome forces merged into one, creating an unparalleled display of power.
"Hakai!!!"
The shout echoed like thunder as Ace unleashed his Attack. A sheath of black-purple lightning intertwined with the furious flames, their combined might birthing a shockwave that embodied the pinnacle of destruction. The ground trembled as the technique—Great Flame Ring: Hakai—was unleashed, a seamless fusion of Conqueror's Haki, raw physical energy, and the absolute release of the Mera-Mera Fruit's power.
Roger and Whitebeard, legends in their own right, grinned at the challenge before them. Roger, with his unwavering resolve, unleashed his signature attack, Divine Departure, his blade slicing through the air with devastating force creating a Red-Black Arc of Energy. Whitebeard, the mightiest man in the world, infused a quake bubble with his Conqueror's Haki, amplifying its destructive power to unprecedented levels.
The titans collided in a cataclysmic explosion of flame, Haki, and raw energy. The sheer force of their combined attacks sent shockwaves through the air, causing the very heavens to tremble. The explosion lit up the sky, visible for miles around, as the power of these legendary figures clashed in a display of might that left the onlookers awestruck.
As the dust and debris settled, Ace, Roger, and Whitebeard emerged from the smoke. Their clothes were shredded, their bodies bore superficial injuries, but their spirits remained unbroken. Each of them wore a satisfied grin, knowing they had just participated in a battle that would be remembered for ages.
"We'll call it here," Roger said with a chuckle, sheathing his blade. "Any more of this, and we might end up destroying all of Wanokuni."
Whitebeard nodded in agreement, his massive frame still radiating power. "Aye, we've tested our mettle enough for today."
Ace, catching his breath, grinned as he extinguished the last of his flames. "Agreed. No need to level this place—at least, not today."
Meanwhile, Yamato and Oden, who had been locked in their own intense duel, also decided to call it a draw. Their Weapons clashed one last time before they both stepped back, breathing heavily but with newfound respect for one another. The fire in Yamato's eyes mirrored that of her opponent, and Oden couldn't help but admire her spirit.
With the sparring over, the tension in the air dissipated, replaced by the festive atmosphere of the banquet. The celebrations resumed with even greater enthusiasm, as the warriors, having tested their strength, now gathered around to share stories, laughter, and drink.
As the night wore on, Ace, Roger, Whitebeard, Yamato, and Oden found themselves sitting together, a bond of mutual respect forged in the heat of battle. The flames of their conflict had cooled, but the camaraderie born from it would endure, becoming a story that would be told and retold across the seas.